Farmington Man Charged After Serious Crash in Lakeville Leaves Woman With Spinal Injuries
Published: May 26, 2026
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA: A Farmington man is facing a felony criminal vehicular operation charge after authorities say he rear-ended another vehicle while allegedly under the influence of controlled substances, leaving a woman with serious injuries, including a spinal injury that reportedly left her unable to feel or move her legs.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, 41-year-old Michael Timothy Terbilcox of Farmington has been charged with one count of felony criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm through negligent operation while under the influence of a controlled substance.
The charge stems from a crash that occurred around 5:53 a.m. on May 22, 2026, at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and 179th Street West in Lakeville.
Crash at Cedar Avenue Intersection
According to the complaint, officers responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash and found a white Lexus SUV with heavy front-end damage and a gray Ford Escape with rear-end damage roughly 130 feet beyond the intersection. Authorities identified the Lexus driver as Terbilcox. The driver of the Ford Escape, identified in court documents only as “Victim 1,” was reportedly bleeding from her head and told officers at the scene that she could not move or feel her legs. She was transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.
Before being transported, the woman reportedly told officers she had been stopped at a red light while traveling northbound on Cedar Avenue when her vehicle was struck from behind.
Investigators say Terbilcox told officers he was also traveling northbound on Cedar Avenue and believed the traffic signal would turn green, so he “did not brake” before colliding with the victim’s vehicle.
Officers Allegedly Observed Signs of Impairment
Court documents state that while speaking with Terbilcox, officers observed slurred and delayed speech, poor balance, and difficulty following instructions. Police conducted standardized field sobriety tests and determined there was probable cause to arrest him for driving under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the complaint.
During a search following his arrest, officers reportedly located:
A prescription pill bottle containing amphetamine pills,
A THC vape device,
Two partial pills, one pink and one white.
Investigators also searched Terbilcox’s vehicle and allegedly found:
A pill crusher with pink residue,
Fifteen pink pills identified as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine,
A cut straw with pink residue.
According to the complaint, the bottle containing the pink amphetamine pills did not have a prescription attached to it.
Drug Recognition Evaluation Conducted
After being transported to the police department, authorities say Terbilcox waived his Miranda rights and agreed to participate in a drug recognition evaluation. During that evaluation, officers noted his pulse was consistently above 130 beats per minute, his blood pressure was elevated, and he exhibited body tremors, according to the complaint.
The evaluating officer also reportedly observed redness inside one of Terbilcox’s nostrils, which, based on training and experience, the officer stated can indicate ingestion of substances through the nose. The drug recognition evaluator concluded Terbilcox was under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant and cannabis, according to court records.
A search warrant was obtained for a blood sample, which was collected and sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing. The results of that testing were still pending as of the filing of the complaint.
Victim Reportedly Facing Multiple Surgeries
Investigators later spoke with the victim at the hospital on May 26, 2026. According to the complaint, she had been diagnosed with:
A lacerated spleen,
A spinal injury,
Injuries requiring surgery on her left arm.
The woman was also reportedly scheduled for spinal surgery and told officers she still could not feel or move her legs at that time.
Bail and Prior DWI Conviction
Court records show prosecutors requested bail be set at $75,000 without conditions or $50,000 with conditions. A judicial order later indicated Terbilcox could be released on $40,000 conditional bail or held on $75,000 unconditional bail.
Conditions of release include:
No contact with the victim,
No use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances,
Electronic home monitoring with alcohol sensor monitoring,
Random chemical testing,
Remaining law-abiding,
No possession of firearms or dangerous weapons,
No driving without a valid license and insurance,
Participation in a pretrial release program.
The complaint also notes Terbilcox has a prior misdemeanor DWI conviction from 2013.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Pictured: Michael Timothy Terbilcox, provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
